96 millions cans of Fosters (struth!), 16,528,925 bottles of fake tan, 671 Lamborghini Gallardo’s, 11 ‘Beckingham palaces’, 80% of Newcastle United, a ‘Big Mac’ for the entire population of Canada……Or Cristiano Ronaldo.
Yes, it looks like returning Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez, will have to cut down on the fake tan and the Big Macs in order to pay for his greasy, unhealthy (but nevertheless gurkin-less) luxury, which is the 24 year-old, Portugese winger, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Now, i do realise Ronaldo is undisputeably either the best (hmm..) or second best (more likely) player in the world. However, i do feel Manchester United (and in particular Alex Ferguson) have got ‘the Real deal’ rather then their spanish pals. Cristiano is now 24, and i think Madrid will get a maximum of 4 or 5 seasons out of him, and how many of those will he be challenging Messi, almost 3 years his junior, for the title of the world’s best player? I think not many. I think Ronaldo may just fade out as just one of those ‘Galacticos’ who arrived at the Bernabeu more to keep the shirt printers busy, then to re-write the record books. Let’s face it, their have been a few of them, Micheal Owen, David Beckham, Johnathen Woodgate all made little impact at Madrid, and although Ronaldo may be slightly better suited to the Spanish way of the game then the likes of Owen, but i feel in a side briming with talent, (especially with the recent introduction of brazilian Kaka, and the likely signing of Valencia striker David Villa), the competition for places and weight of expectation that comes with a 80 million pound price tag may prove too much for former Man Utd man.
But i guess, if all else fails, Perez will get back enough money from shirt sales to repay the 80 million pound price tag, and can start setting his sights on a much more exciting project; fattening up the population of Canada. Good Luck Florentino!
Nice piece. I think Ronaldo will fall considerably below what’s expected of him in La Liga. When you think about what he’s done for United, most of his big performances cam against lessor teams of the Premier League. He won’t be able to dance past defenders in Spain as easily as he did against the likes of West Brom, Stoke etc.
Thanks. I agree, i think Ronaldo has too much expectation and will take time to adjust to La Liga. Although i must say, the likes of Stoke in my opinion posses a much greater threat (especially with ther famous Rory Delap throw-in) then the frankly dismal defenses of spanish minows such as Real Betis and Getafe.
I think Ronaldo’s pace and power, which he has developed by playing in the Premier League for 5 years, won’t necessarily give him an advantage in Spain. He has become acustomed to playing fast paced, physical football, and has proved to be world class, whether it’s against Stoke or Chelsea. Playing in Spain will not play to his strengths, and leave him to stand on the sideline simply show-boating, which will only attract more bad press. Not that he seems unduely botherd! So overall, i think many would agree, Christiano is set up to be shot down in Madrid.